sin[sin-1() + cos-1(x)] = 1
Let a = sin-1() and b = cos-1(x)
Then sin(a) = and cos(b) = x
And now our equation is
sin(a + b) = 1
Using an identity on the left side,
sin(a)cos(b) + cos(a)sin(b) = 1
Draw two right triangles, one with acute angle a and one with acute angle b:
Since the sine of a is and since , put
the numerator of , which is 1, on the side opposite a and
the denominator of which is 5, on the hypotenuse.
Since the cosine of b is x, we consider that as the fraction
and since , put the numerator of , which is x,
on the side adjacent b and the denominator of which is 1, on the
hypotenuse.
Next we use the Pythagorean theorem to find the side adjacent a, and
the side opposite b:
a² + b² = c² a² + b² = c²
a² + 1² = 5² x² + b² = 1²
a² + 1 = 25 x² + b² = 1
a² = 24 b² = 1 - x²
a = b =
Now we can use the right triangles above and their sides to substitute
into the equation:
sin(a)cos(b) + cos(a)sin(b) = 1
()() + ()() = 1
Clear of fractions by multiplying through by LCD 5
x + = 5
Isolate the radical term:
= 5 - x
Square both sides of the equations:
24(1 - x²) = (5 - x)²
24 - 24x² = (5 - x)(5 - x)
24 - 24x² = 25 - 10x + x²
Get 0 on the right:
25x² - 10x + 1 = 0
Factor the left side:
(5x - 1)(5x - 1) = 0
(5x - 1)² = 0
5x - 1 = 0
5x = 1
x =
Edwin